Ibrahim Jaafari Iraq's new PM

The World Today - Friday, 8 April , 2005 12:21:00

Reporter: Alison Caldwell

ELEANOR HALL: Iraq is a step closer to its first democratically elected government in more than 50 years, with the appointment of a new Prime Minister, Ibrahim Jaafari.

After two decades of opposing Saddam Hussein from exile, the Shi'ite doctor described his appointment as a big step forward for Iraq and a big responsibility for him.

Mr Jaafari is now working on the finishing touches to his Cabinet, a process which could take a couple of weeks, as Alison Caldwell reports.

ALISON CALDWELL: Ibrahim Jaafari spent his formative years in the Dawa Party, a militant Shi'ite group which waged a bitter and sometimes violent struggle against Saddam Hussein's regime.

The movement was suppressed and like many others, Mr Jaafari was forced into exile, first in Iran and then Britain, where he worked as a doctor.

Now, in a remarkable turn of events, he has been named as Iraq's new Prime Minister.

IBRAHIM JAAFARI (Translated): For me today is a turning point towards the completion of the democratic process.

ALISON CALDWELL: Low key and softly spoken, Ibrahim Jaafari is a moderate Islamist, favouring a strong role for Muslim teachings but seeking to embrace all communities.

He was anxious to assure Iraqis that he has no intention of imposing Iranian style Islamic rule.

Yahia Said is an Iraqi academic at the London School of Economics. He says Ibrahim Jaafari distanced himself from the Iranian leadership early on.

YAHIA SAID: Well there are some people on the United Iraqi Alliance, which is the Shi'ite list, have very close ties to Iran. As it happens, the Prime Minister has the weakest ties with Iran.

He split, the Dawa Party was split because of the Iranian attempts to take control over that party when they were forced to go to Iran, and he actually went back to London, because he refused Iranian influence.

ALISON CALDWELL: For now, Ibrahim Jaafari supports the US military presence in Iraq, until the country's own security forces are ready to tackle the insurgents.

He said: "this means that there will be a timetable for the departure of the multi national troops".

Iraq's Interim Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi, has resigned but he'll carry on in a caretaker position while Jaafari builds a Cabinet.

Jaafari says that could take up to two weeks.

His rise to power signals that Iraq's Shi'ite majority is now the dominant force in Iraqi politics. How they use that power is of crucial importance.

Some Iraqis worry Jaafari may not have the necessary steel to lead the country through a difficult period of transition.

JALAL TALABANI (Translated): In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful, I swear by God Almighty to fulfil my lawful duties and responsibilities with devotion and honesty, to preserve Iraq's independence and sovereignty, and to protect the interest of its people and its sky, its waters, its wealth, and its federal democratic system.

Jaafari has ordered an amnesty for Iraqis linked to Saddam's Ba'ath Party, saying they would not face discrimination. That amnesty, though, won't extend to criminals and insurgents.

There's confusion surrounding the amnesty. In an interview, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said it would extend to insurgents.

JALAL TALABANI (Translated): Distinction has to be made between the terrorists and criminals and the rest of Iraqis. We need to grant them amnesty, invite them to join the democratic process, and give them the opportunity to benefit from the existing freedom, even to call for what they term as the evacuation of foreign forces and occupation.

ALISON CALDWELL: An unconditional amnesty is being seen as an essential component of national reconciliation.

A previous amnesty failed though, due to pressure from the United States.

Yahia Said explains:

YAHIA SAID: Well the Americans have already scuttled one attempt at an amnesty by the previous Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi. He announced that he would be introducing an amnesty as soon as he became prime minister last June, and strong hints from the US Embassy Ambassador, then Negroponte, that the amnesty should not include anyone who killed anyone, ie. who killed any Americans, has meant that that amnesty proposal was delayed for a very long time and then diluted to the point of being meaningless.

Hopefully this time around they will be able to put a meaningful amnesty offer.

ELEANOR HALL: Yahia Said from the London School of Economics, speaking to Alison Caldwell.